A delegation of 40 Trustees, family members and SU administration leaders traveled in June to review academic activity in the Middle East. Stops included Istanbul, where they were hosted by SU partners at Bahcesehir University. BU President Enver Yucel thanked Trustees for coming to Turkey to see first-hand the program run by SUAbroad. A reception for more than 100 SU students from Turkey and alumni living in Turkey was held. The partnership with Bahcesehir is two years old and already dozens of SU undergraduates have taken courses in facilities provided by BU. President Yucel stated his satisfaction with the partnership and urged further involvement.

The delegation then traveled to the United Arab Emirates to witness the fourth annual completion ceremony for the Dubai civil engineering internship provided by Trustee Abdallah Yabroudi, CEO of Dubai Contracting Company, and an art exhibit on Islamic design and ornament produced by the partnership of the Dahesh Museum of Art and Syracuse University's Libraries and SU Press.

Dahesh Founding Trustee Amira Zahid presided at the opening, which was attended by SU alumni from the Gulf, including Prince Sultan bin Salman, Chairman of the Saudi Commission on Tourism and Antiquities, and Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Arts Council.

The Dubai Contracting Company internship for civil engineers is believed to be the only one of its kind offered by a US institution. All expenses are paid for 6 to 8 interns, who learn Middle East business practices alongside students from the region. It is the idea of Yabroudi, who participates in intern activity and also leads cultural experiences such as visits to the Taj Mahal, Dead Sea, Petra, Oman and other sites in the region.

The delegation also officially opened SU's first office in Dubai. Provided by Trustee Yabroudi, the office will support the work of SU admissions, alumni and other external affairs work in the region.

Alumni from other Gulf States attended SU ceremonies. One is Mike Venutolo, originally from New Jersey but a 35-year resident of the Gulf. Most of that time has been spent running his company, Raymond International, with offices in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai. This marks the first year for an internship sponsored by his company and an SU parent from Bahrain.

Another SU internship commenced in Dubai this year as well. TBWA/Raad, a top advertising firm in Dubai, is led by Reda Raad and this year expenses were paid for Newhouse students in advertising and public relations to work in Dubai.